France's iconic queen, Marie Antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous "Let them eat cake," was alternately revered and reviled during her lifetime. For centuries since, she has been the object of debate, speculation, and the fascination so often accorded illustrious figures in history. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted child was thrust onto the royal stage and commanded by circumstance to play a significant role in European history. Antonia Fraser's lavish and engaging portrait excites compassion and regard for all aspects of the queen, immersing the reader not only in the coming-of-age of a graceful woman, but in the culture of an unparalleled time and place.
Editorial Reviews
"Remarkable. . . . Amply researched. . . . Convincing. [Fraser displays] greater psychological acumen than any of numerous earlier biographers." —Francine du Plessix Gray, The New York Times Book Review
"Absorbing as ever, Fraser's blend of insight and research persuades us that this unfortunate queen deserves neither the vilification nor the idealization she has received." —The New Yorker
"Colorful, fluently narrated. . . . A touching, psychologically believable portrait." —The Wall Street Journal
"Fascinating...the court at Versailles comes alive." —The Washington Post
About the Author
Since 1969 Antonia Fraser has written many acclaimed historical works which have been international bestsellers and is the recipient of many literary awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. These include the biographies Mary Queen of Scots, Cromwell: Our Chief of Men, and King Charles II. Three highly praised books focus on women in history: The Weaker Vessel: Women's Lot in Seventeenth-Century England, The Warrior Queens, and The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Her most recent book was Faith and Treason: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot. She is editor of the series of Kings and Queens of England. Antonia Fraser is married to Harold Pinter and lives in London.
